Retail success stories and key category growth areas will be spotlighted at The Gathering 2009, the new winter industry event to be held in Orlando, Fla., Jan 7-9 next year.

Representatives of top stores from across the country will be among the presenters during the training and trade program at The Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort & Convention Center.

Sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine, The Gathering 2009 is an outgrowth of the previous Gathering of Church Bookstore events, broadened to include special focus elements for inspirational gifts and nonchurch retailers.

Among the training sessions will be presentations on how Christian retailers can increase sales in gifts, Bibles and children's products-widely recognized as three areas in which Christian retailers can outperform general market retailers who have been competing strongly for book and music sales.

The Gathering 2009 will open with a prayer meeting on industry issues to which participating retailers will be asked to bring photographs of their stores to provide a visual reminder of their needs throughout the rest of the event.

"The whole emphasis of the event is to start the year in a positive way," said Dave Condiff, advertising director of Christian Retailing. "It's an ideal time to review the past year, do business for the coming 12 months and hear from people who are successfully meeting some of the challenges that are out there."

"And there's no better way to begin our time together than by joining to bring our concerns and needs to God," he added. "We can learn a lot from each other, but ultimately we need to go to the source of all wisdom for answers, too."

Among those planning to be at The Gathering 2009 is Steffanie Methvin, bookstore manager at Christ Church Plano in Plano, Texas, who said: "It is always helpful to network with other bookstore folks there because I learn so much from them. I have come away with great ideas and suggestions and some new friendships."

She added: "I appreciate the care taken to select workshop topics and speakers who are relevant. I appreciate the vendors providing for authors and musicians to come and share and their generosity with their product giveaways ... the whole event is top quality in lots of ways."

At gift supplier Show Off Arts, owner Jeff Atwood said the company's first time at The Gathering of Church Bookstores this year was "a great event" and an opportunity "to meet with the leaders from these stores and learn how we can best develop product for their shoppers. We are excited about the growth in the event and look forward to being part of the 2009 event."

For more information about The Gathering 2009, go to www.christianretailing.com/gathering.